Maximum enforcement, DUI checkpoints ahead for holiday weekend

Wednesday

Dec 19, 2012 at 12:37 PMDec 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Kate Vinton, Staff Writer

In light of the dangerous combination of bad weather and holiday drinking for people traveling this Christmas weekend, San Bernardino county law enforcement officials are preparing to increase their presence on the road.

According to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Joaquin Zubieta, the CHP will have maximum enforcement period from Sunday until Tuesday, during which 80 percent of the CHP's force will be on patrol at all times. This is standard procedure for the CHP during holiday weekends.

"We're trying to prevent accidents. We'd much rather take somebody to jail before they cause damage, rather than investigate an accident where someone lost their life," Zubieta said. "Unfortunately, we do see an increase in DUI drivers during the holidays, whether people are happy and celebrating or depressed and drinking more."

In addition to the maximum enforcement, there will be DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols in various towns and cities across the county as part of the Winter Holiday Anti-DUI Campaign, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department press release.

Research shows that these measures are effective at saving not only lives, but also money. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sobriety checkpoint programs can yield a savings of $6 for every dollar spent.

According to Zubieta, the most important thing everyone can do to have a safe holiday is to plan ahead, both in regards to weather and alcohol consumption.

"A vast majority of people are going to be traveling to get to their relatives," Zubieta said. "Let's share the road and let's be courteous."

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